Anita Conefrey is a PhD researcher in the Department of Marketing, Tourism and Sport at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, under the supervision of Dr James Hanrahan (STORY@ATU), Dr Leo Creedon (MISHE), Dr Domhnall Melly (STORY@ATU), Dr John Carty (STORY@ATU), and Dr Conor McTiernan (STORY@ATU). She is also an active member of the Sustainable Tourism and Visitor Experience Lab (STORY@ATU) and the European Universities Alliance for Sustainability, Responsible Growth, Inclusive Education, and Environment (EU GREEN).
Her doctoral research focuses on establishing Ireland’s first comprehensive baseline dataset on the carbon footprint of tourism, aimed at supporting evidence-based strategies for sustainable destination management. She developed a mathematical model to conduct a longitudinal analysis of tourism-related emissions in Ireland and is currently exploring the critical challenges the industry faces in transitioning to Net-Zero. This research seeks to inform national policy and industry practice by contributing to a scientifically grounded decarbonisation pathway for tourism.
Anita holds a first-class honours BSc in Tourism with Event Management from the Institute of Technology Sligo. She has expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and has published several peer-reviewed articles. Her academic work can be accessed via ResearchGate.